Provides suggestions for handling negative publicity in child care centers. Topics discussed include: 1) preparation for negative publicity; 2) worse case scenarios; 3) meeting the media; 4) providing facts; 5) frank and honest communication with media; 6) the news interview; and 7) feelings of guilt. (RJC)

Reviews research on issue management. Argues for a better tool for issue analysis, outlining criteria for such a tool. Discusses an approach to issue development which allows the tool to be formulated. Presents the tool, an issue development graph, and a case study which illustrates the benefits of the tool. (MS)

Describes the steps a day care center referral source must take in order to refer a potential client. Steps include: (1) awareness; (2) recognition; (3) retention; and (4) referrals. Ways in which a center may increase referrals are discussed. (RJC)

Front-line service providers can be the origin of customer's perceptions about an institution, and these initial perceptions can color subsequent interactions. To improve customer service, institutions need to offer training and recognition for providers. Characteristics of effective service and providing effective training are discussed. (MLW)

Examines variables hypothesized to contribute to discrepancies between an organization's view of itself and news articles written about those organizations. Finds organizational structure and values appear to affect openness of organizational communication. (MS)

As a college alumni organization designs a World Wide Web site for communication, it should consider why it is creating the site; features that will appeal to its audience; the effort it will take to keep information timely; adding to the site's value by offering useful, interesting information not available anywhere else; and touring other sites…

Finds that educators are more likely than issues managers to hold an outer-directed worldview of issues management. (SR)

Analyzes the history of the Freedom of Information Act business exemption, the reasoning in the federal appellate case "Critical Mass III," and the aftermath of the case in federal courts. Explores its implications for public relations practitioners who may be seeking information about other businesses or trying to maintain…

This article provides responses from campus public relations officers and education reporters to three major problems in media relations: (1) the abuse of embargoed press releases; (2) alleged misquoting or misrepresentation in a story; and (3) the use of off-the-record comments. (MDM)

A corporate executive with prior experience in a college public relations office offers guidelines for management of campus public relations. These include "plan like a professional"; "define your goals"; "establish and live by priorities"; and "be accountable." An inserted article offers similar guidelines from a public relations professional who…

Describes a major deaccessioning (weeding) project begun in 1985 at the library of the Nebraska State Historical Society, including a brief history of the Society and the events leading to the decision to weed. Public controversy over the handling of the project, benefits of the weeding, and new acquisitions policies are also discussed. (MES)

Discusses the need to promote school music programs. Includes a checklist for testing a music program's promotional effectiveness. Suggests using public relations (PR) to reduce the risk of music program cuts before they occur. Recommends setting and determining the means of achieving PR goals. Identifies the benefits of effective PR. (SG)

Studies the role of four rhetorical elements in generating shared meaning in two different samples of public relations writing. Finds that narratives were particularly important because they provided a comprehensive, compelling framework for belief and thus contributed greatly to the shared meaning created by writers and readers. (SR)

Development of a mission statement for adult education in Britain could parallel the strategy used by the Arts Council: circulating discussion documents and inviting comment and debate leading to a definitive statement addressing the renaissance and the crisis in the field. (SK)

Surveys faculty in advertising and public relations. Finds that they feel treated fairly by their chairs, but unfairly by some colleagues in their departments as well as in other departments, and by the field's leading association. (SR)